December, 2016
Challenger Spotlight

Challenger Colorado, with the financial support of USAFA, is proud to present the 2017 SeaPerch Design Challenge
 
What: SeaPerch Design Challenge
Who: 6th - 12th Grade Students
Where: Coronado High School, Colorado Springs
TENTATIVE DATE : Saturday, February 25th, 2017
 
What is a Sea Perch?
SeaPerch is an underwater robot. Working in teams, students will use their kits design, build, and test their SeaPerch. The project can be accomplished in a classroom or in a club. More information about SeaPerch, can be found on their website,  www.seaperch.org .
 
What is the SeaPerch Design Challenge?
In the Obstacle Course, teams drive their SeaPerch through an underwater obstacle course. In the Real-World Design Challenge, teams are presented with a mystery challenge on competition day; teams then have one hour to reconfigure their SeaPerch build to meet the challenge and then compete in the pool.

The SeaPerch Design Challenge event will be divided into two age divisions, the Junior Division for grades 6 - 8 and the Senior Division for grades 9 - 12. The event is open to all secondary students. A team consists of up to 8 students and one coach.
 
How do I get a SeaPerch Kit for my Team?
Grants are available for qualified teachers. Please specify which grant you are applying for (New or Returning).  Grants are due by midnight on December 9th.
  • New Teachers will receive 1 SeaPerch toolkit, teacher training/support from Challenger staff, and up to 4 SeaPerch kits.
  • Returning Teachers will receive 2 new SeaPerch kits. 
For more information, visit the Design Challenge websites:

For additional information, please contact Ron Bush: [email protected].  
LEGO Grants are Closed
The application period for LEGO kit grants has closed. If you have not submitted a LEGO kit grant application, we encourage you to apply next fall.  The LEGO grant is typically announced in October of each year.  Challenger is excited for our LEGO Design Challenges in January and February of 2017!
Calendar of Events for Teachers
January 21 - New Teacher Training 
Who: Teacher's running their first simulator mission
Location: Challenger Center
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (lunch is provided)

This training is designed specifically for teachers new to Challenger Simulator Missions.  You will participate in your own mission, and learn how to best prepare your students for Challenger.  By participating in this training you will receive 1 credit hour (16 contact hours) of PD.  If you have any questions concerning scheduling missions, or signing up for training please contact our Registrar  Marty Gantz:  [email protected]
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January 24 - Kinder & 1st Grade LEGO Design Challenge 
Who: Kindergarten & 1st Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate) 

Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their Early Simple Machines LEGO kits.  All teams must register with Ron Bush in to compete;  [email protected].

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January 25 - 2nd & 3rd Grade LEGO Design Challenge 
Who: 2nd & 3rd Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate) 

Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their Simple Machines LEGO kits.  All teams must register with Ron Bush in order to compete [email protected].

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January 31 - 4th & 5th Grade LEGO Design Challenge A
Who: 4th & 5th Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate) 

Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their WeDo LEGO kits.  Due to the large number of 4th & 5th grade teams participating, the competition will be divided into two nights.  Participants will be told which night to attend.  All teams must register with Ron Bush in order to compete:  [email protected].
 
  Competition Website ___________________________________________________

February 1 - 4th & 5th Grade LEGO Design Challenge B
Who: 4th & 5th Grade students
Location: Library 21C (Briargate) 

Teams of students will compete to build a mystery design using their WeDo LEGO kits.  Due to the large number of 4th & 5th grade teams participating, the competition will be divided into two nights.  Participants will be told which night to attend.  All teams must register with Ron Bush in order to compete:  [email protected].

Competition Website
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February 16th - Returning Teacher Training 
Who: Teachers who have previously run simulator mission
Location: Challenger Center
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm (Dinner is provided)

This training is designed specifically for teachers have already brought a class to participate in a Challenger Simulator Mission.  We will update teachers on the changes we have made to the Crew Manifest and the Media Job.  By participating in this training you will receive 0.5 credit hours (8 contact hours) of PD.  If you have any questions concerning scheduling missions, or signing up for training please contact our Registrar Marty Gantz: 
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February 25 (Tentative)- SeaPerch Design Challenge
Who: 6th - 12th Grade students
Location: Coronado High School (Colorado Springs) 

Teams of up to 8 students will compete to operate their underwater robots through a variety of challenges.   Grants for SeaPerch kits are available to teachers.  All teams must register with Ron Bush in order to compete:  [email protected]

Competition Website
Our Night Sky
Our Night Sky

December
Mercury
It will be the best time of year to view the smallest planet.  Look towards the western horizon after sunset. 

Dec 13 & 14
Geminids Meteor Shower Peak
This is one of the best meteor showers of the year, with up to 120 meteors per hour.  The best viewing will occur around midnight.

Dec 21
Winter Solstice
The Earth's south pole is tilted towards the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

See the International Space Station!

This website will calculate when and where you need to look to see the ISS in your city.
Teacher Web Resource
Nat Geo "Mars" Series

National Geographic will present "Mars". The series will look at the exploration and eventual colonization of the red planet.  Students can apply to be crew members and practice the skills necessary for the mission.
 
Space News

NASA engineers will test the flammability of different materials in microgravity.
 
Upcoming Global Launches
Dec 1
Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch a cargo delivery to the International Space Station.
 
Dec 5
French Guiana
A European Vega rocket will launch the Gokturk 1 reconnaissance satellite for Turkey.
 
Dec 7
Florida
A ULA Delta 4 rocket will launch the eigth Wideband SATCOM, a U.S. military communications satellite.
 
Dec 9
Japan
A Japanese H-2B rocket will launch a HTV unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.
 
Dec 12
Florida
An Orbital ATK Pegasus XL Rocket will launch NASA's CYGNSS satellite to study tropical cyclones.
 
Dec 16
Florida
A ULA Atlas 5 rocket will launch a communications satellite providing internet services to North America.
 
Dec 19
China
A Chinese Long March 2D rocket will launch TanSat satellite to map the global distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere.
 
Dec 20
French Guiana
An Ariane 5 rocket will launch two communication satellites providing TV, cellular and internet services for Brazil and Japan.
 
Dec 22
Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch an Earth observation satellite for Roscosmos.
 
Dec TBD
Kazakhstan
An International Launch Services Proton rocket will launch the EchoStar 21 communication satellite, providing broadband services to Europe.
 
Dec TBD
China
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket will launch a weather satellite for the Chinese government.
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The Challenger Learning Center of Colorado | 719-598-9755
| [email protected] | http://www.challengercolorado.org/
10215 Lexington Drive,  Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

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